Displacement apparatus



R. D. DELAMERE DISPLACEMENT APPARATUS Filed March 2, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 RJD. De`|a`rnere Wd@ ITTK Oct. 29,1946.

R. DELAMERE DISPLACEMENT APPARATUS Filed March 2, 1942 v. 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 151.13 Dean-nre.

Oct. 29, 1946. R D DELMERE 2,410,341

/ DISPLACEMENT APPARATUS Filed March 2., 1942 4 sheets-sheet 4 v im ai;

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Patented Oct. 29, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENTA OFFICE 2,410,341 DISPLACEMENT APPARATUS y Rudolf D. Delamere, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Application March 2, 1942, Serial No. 432,972

(c1. 23o-143) i .6 Claims.

This invention relates to displacement apparatus and more particularlyto apparatus which may be driven to serve as a pump or which may be operated to produce mechanical energy to serve as a turbine, moto-r and the like. The object of my invention is to devise simple and rugged apparatus of this character in which maximum displacement is obtained, in which the moving parts of the pump and turbine rotate and are geometrically perfectly sealed to provide positive action and uniform torque, in which the rotating parts produce a continuous flow and may be driven at very high speeds, and in which the compression or expansion ratio may be varied. Other objects I have in mind will hereinafter appear.

The constructions are hereafter fully described and are illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the simplest form of the apparatus, the single group of helically ribbed elements being shown in side elevation;

Figure 2 across-section of the group of elements on the line 2 2 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 a cross-section on the line 3 3 in Figure l;

Figure 4 a cross-section on the line 4 4 in Figure 1;

Figure 5 a longitudinal section on the line 5 5 in Figure 6, of a modified form of the apparatus;

Figure 6 a vcross-section on the line 6 6 in Figure 5;

Figure '1 a cross-section on the line 1 1 in Figure 5;

Figure 8 an end View of the plate between the chamber and the pockets in Figure 5;

Figure 9 a longitudinal section of another modied form of the apparatus;

Figure 10 a cross-section on the line IU-Iil in Figure 9;

Figure 11 a longitudinal section of a further modica'tion;

Figure l2 a cross-'section of a different shaped group of elements;

Figures 13 to 18, diagrammatic views in end elevation of two groups of ribbed elements illustrating a complete cycle of the movements thereof;

Figure 19 a diagrammatical cross-section on the line I 9 I 9 in Figure 13; and

Figures 20 to 24 cross-sectional diagrammatic views, corresponding to Figure 19, of Figures 14 In the drawings like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the dierent gures.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 toll, I is a casing which may consist of a central and two end sections. In the casing are journalled a group of four helically ribbed elements 2 which are r0- tatable in the same direction vand are meshed with one another so that adjacent portions of the meshed'ribs constitute the walls of a succes sion of pockets 3 which travel from one end of the ribs to the other during the rotation `of the elements. Each of the elements 2 has two ribs 4 arranged like a double thread on a screw so that the convolutions of the ribs are ,180 apart. The ribs on the elements are substantially the same idiameter and pitch and are so shaped that they will intermesh with the ribs 4 on two adjacent elements. Thus the ribs on the group of elements co-operate to form the successive pockets 3 on the center line around which the elements vare arranged. The number of pockets produced central section 9 and end sections 1, 8 having provided with a central opening II for establishing communication between the outer end of a pocket 3 and a'chamber I2. The latter is formed in the end section 1 beyond the plate Iii. The wall 5 of the end section 1 is apertured or formed as a spider to form a communication between the chamber I2 and an outlet I3. The wall 6 of the end section 8 is solid, and the peripheral wall of the central section 9 is provided with one or more inlet openings III. A shaft I5, journalled in a cover I6 for the end section 8 and in the wall 6, carries a gear I1 which is meshed with pinions I8 on the spindles ofthe elements 2. By driving the shaft I5, the gear I1 will rotate the pinions I 8, and thus the elements 2 will be driven in the same direction of rotation. Since the helical ribs 4 are rotated in unison the ends of the ribs are moved from the position shown in Figure 3 to that shown in Figure 4 `whereby the pocket is successively opened and closed. Thus iluid drawn into the inlet end. of the pocket is subsequently trapped therein and thereafter is caused to travel longitudinally in the pocket until it is discharged into the chamber I 2.

kIn Figures to 8 is shown an advanced form of my invention for displacing gases. In the casing 2i are journalled a plurality of groups of helically ribbed elements 22 which are rotatable in the same direction. Each of the elements 22 has two ribs 24 and each rib has a long pitch, similar r.to Lthat of the .rib .4, .anda comparatively `short pitch 2li. Each group :of'four elements thus forms a succession of pockets 23 which vary in size in accordance to the variation in the pitch of the ribs 24. The small sized pocket 23a, which is formed by the short pitched portions 20, communicates throughthe opening .3| in the plate 30 with the chamber 32. As the gas trapped in the large pocket 23 ismovedllongitudinally, by the long pitched portions ofthe ribs 24, it is brought into .contact with the short pitched portions 20 of the ribs whereby the pocket `is -reducedlto the small poclret'23a and the'` gas iis compressed therein. The compression ratio of fthe gas entering and leaving the pockets vmay be such that the pressure of the ygas inthe small vpocketequals the pressure of the gas in the charn- "ber 32. Thus there will be no flow'oi gas 'from lthe chamber into thelsmall pocket as it is opened vwhereby only-the supply of gas in-the smallpocket Yis ejectedvby the shortpitohed Iportions 20 vwhen said pocket lis opened.

The casing '2| has fend sections 21, 28 corresponding to the parts`1, 8. The outlet 33 corresponds to the outlet I3 and the inlet openings @34 -correspond to lthose designated i4. There are four shafts 35 corresponding to the shaft l5 and vsimilarly journalled inthe `cover 33 and vwall 26. 1Each shaft -carriesa gear 3`1 meshedwith the pinions 38 on Athe spindles Aof the four elements '22arranged about theshaft. Each shaft 35 also A vcarries a pinion 3'!EL whichis meshed With-a gear 33a secured to a-shaft 39 Aournalledin the cover.

The sixteen elements 22 are so arrangedaround `the shaft 39 that they `will iintermesh and cooperate Withtwo or ,more adjacent elements t0 Aproduce nine sets'of pockets 23,23%. Thus by increasing the number of elements from 'four in :Figures 1 to 4 to Ysixteen Vin Figures 5 to S'the .number of sets of pockets 3 or 23 and 23a is increased from one'to nine wherebynine vtimes the,Y

-volume ,of gas is displaced lby employing lfour'x 'tangle Forexample, if 20 elements be arranged,`

with `5 along one side and 4 alongthe adjacent' side, the number ,of sets of Apockets Ywill )be (5 1.) (4-1).=.12 sets of pockets.

lReferringtoFigures 13 to 24, the cycle of movements of 'the ribbed elements '22 is diagrammatif ically illustrated to showthe displacement of gas through vthesets o'fpockets23, 23a. 'InFigures l13 and 19 the pockets, formed onvthe line Ill-I9 in Bigure 13, areshown with theirends closed; the

gasrin thelargepocket 23 is substantially at at- .mospheric pressure, and vthe gas in the ,small pocket .aiscompressed ,as .indicated by the ver.- vtical lines in both pockets to theldesired pressure. :Thefspacing of the vertical .lines 34a outsidethe .large fpocket indicates the .atmospheric pressure from the openings 34 and it will be noted this 'to ,gradually compress the gas.

spacing is the same as that in the large pocket. The spacing of the vertical lines 32a outside the small pocket indicates the pressure therein is equal to that in the chamber 32. In Figures 14 and 20, the small pocket 23a is communicating with the chamber 32, the outer end of the initial large pocket 23 is moved tbward the small pocket thus slightly compressing the gas in said large pocket, A.and a .succeeding large pocket 4communi- ;cating with the -openings 3B is 4beginning to be formed. In Figures 15 and 21, 16 and '22, and 17 and 23 the small pocket 23a is gradually further opened to the chamber 32, the second large .pocket fis also gradually further o pened to the openings 33, andthe outer end of the initial large pocket'is gradually moved toward the small pocket In Figures 18 and 24the second large pocket is nearly closed totrap a fresh supply ofgas (as `shown in Figures 13 and 19) and the initial large pocket is near- -ing lits nal :position in :which it eventually '.becomes the small pocket 4as `shown in yFigures i13 pockets 23a of adjacent sets are also opened alternately so that a substantially constant flow of Vgas to the chamber 32 .is maintained when the apparatus is being used as a pump. In Figure 13, the vpockets adjacent the closed pockets on the line IE5-IS are fully opened and, as the closed pockets are gradually opened in'Figures 14 to 16, the initially fully vopened `pockets are gradually closed. Of'the two sets of pockets illustrated, the sum of the opened areasis substantially the same throughout the cycle. When the apparatus is 'being used as a turbine.etc.,the ow of gas or steam is also substantially constant :so 'that the drive shaft 35 will have a substantially'constant torque.

Figures '9 and 10 show means for varyingthe compression or expansion ratio betweentthe large and small pockets, 'In the casing 111| isljournalled .a group of four helioally ribbed elements 4,2, each element having two ribsfll and each rib having a long pitch and a comparatively short' pitchfll.

Thusthe elements d2 are-similarto theaelements 22, and form pockets 3, 43a similar to the pookets 23, 23a whereby the. gas trapped in the initially large pocketll is moved longitudinally of the 'elements until said pocketis reduced in sizeto compress the gas before itfpasses into the ychamber 52.

The opposite `sides or roots of the ribs 4 fand 24 of Figures 1 to 8 and 13 to 24 are curved andterfminate in points forming a sharp edge at 'the periphery of each rib. Thus not only do-the sides of the ribs on one element co-operate yWiththe sides of the ribs on adjacent elements but the pe- Vripheriesof theribsonone element co-operate with the ,adjacent lelements vto form thesubstan- .tially sealedpocket 3 or pockets 23, 23a.

InFigures 9 and 10the curved opposite sides or roots of the ribs d4 terminate in arcs 44a at their `peripheries whereby a small passageway isestablished through the centers of the pockets 43, 43a Of course this necessitates the curved opposite sides or roots of the ribs being shaped andproportioned slightly differently to the shape and the cylinder.

proportions of the curved opposite sides of the ribs in Figures 1 to 8 and 13 to 24 so that the pockets 43 and 43a will be sealed except for the said passageway. This passageway, which has four arc-- shapedsides formed by the arcs 44a on the peripheries of the ribs 44 on the four elements of the group, would unless closed form a communication between the successive pockets 43, 43a. The said passageway extends through the center of each group of elements, and a rod 44b is slidably tted in said passageway to serve as a cut-oif whereby the compression or expansion ratio between the successive pockets 43, 43a may be varied. The cross-sectional area of the rod is substantially that of the passageway so that the pockets 43 and 43a may be closed and thus the maximum ratio of compression or expansion be obtained which in the drawings is 4 to 1, i. e. 25% cut-off since the lead of the long pitch 44 is four times the lead of the short pitch 40. In Figure 9, the length of the rod must be the length of the short pitched portion of the element plus, at least, one pitch of the long pitched portion of the element.

Another way of considering this cut-off is that the short pitched portion in conjunction with the rod may be considered as a rotary valve in a steam engine in which the axial movement of the rod changes the timing of admission of steam to When the rod is moved tothe left in Fig. 9. the 25% Cut-01T occurs when the Volume in the cylinder is one-quarter (or the volume of the small pocket) of its piston displacement which displacement is the equivalent of the volume of my large pocket, The steam now expands to the Volume of the large pocket and is then exhausted.

When the rod is moved half-way between its extreme right and left hand positions. the cut-off occurs later in the cycle at which point the steam entrapped is one-half the volume of the small pocket and one-half the volume of the large pocket which is the equivalent of five-eighths of the volume of the large pocket, providing the short pitched portion of the element is uniform. The steam now expands to the volumeof the large pocket and is then exhausted. This is equivalent to S21/2% cut-olf.

When the rod is moved to the extreme right hand position as shown in Fig, 9, the cut-off occurs later at which point the steam entrapped is the volume of the large pocket. No expansion occurs and the cut-off is therefore 100%. Y

It is obvious that torque is applied to the elements during admission of the gas and also during expansion thereof, if any expansion occurs.

Any suitable means may be provided to shift the rod 44h. The opposite ends of the rod are reduced in diameter to clear the said arc-shaped sides of the passageway and one end of the rod is slidable in a hole bored in the gear 51 on the shaft 5'5. The gear 5l meshes with the pinions 58 on the spindles of the elements 42. The other reduced end of the rod freely passes through the opening 5l in the plate 50 whereby gases will llow from the point of uncovering of the small pocket 43a through the passageway and said opening into the end section 41 which has radially directed outlets 53. The last-mentioned reduced end is provided with a plunger 44c which is slidable in the end section 4l.

The plunger 44 and thus the rod 44h are held from turning by means of a key or strip of `metal 44d which extends transversely through a slit in the plunger. A nut 44e threaded on the reduced outer end of the plunger is provided with a flange 44f which is received in a recess formed in a cap 44g which is secured to the end of the outer section 4l and is bored for the passage of the nut therethrough. The outer end of the nut may be provided with a hand-wheel. The nut is thus held from axial movement relative to the outer section 4l' although the nut is free to be turned to move the rod 44lo axially to vary the compression or expansion ratio.`

In Figure 1l the apparatus is shown for use as a reversible engine or turbine. The casing 6l carries a group of helically ribbed elements 62, each element having two ribs 64 and each rib having a long pitch and a comparatively short pitch Bil at each end of the long pitch. The peripheries of the ribs 64 are shaped like the ribs 44 to produce a passageway through the center of each group of elements. A rod 64b similar to the rod 44h is slidably tted in said passageway so that it may be moved to close simultaneously a large pocket 63 and the small pocket y63EL at one end or the other of the elements 62. The long pitched portions of the elements 62are of greater length than the corresponding portions of the elements 42 to form two large pockets 63 whereby the rod 64b will close one of said pockets when it is shifted to close or partially close the small pocket 63a at one end of the element. When the rod is shifted to close or partially close the small pocket at the opposite end of the element, the other large pocket will be closed. Thus the length of the long pitched portion of the element must be, at least, equal to the length of a short pitched portion plus one pitch of the long pitched portion. The length of the rod must not be less than the length of a short pitched portion plus one pitch of the long pitched portion and it must not be longer than the length of the long pitched portion.

If steam or other gas under pressure be directed through a valve controlled pipe 'Ma into the inlety openings 14 inthe end section 58 and the rod 64b be shifted to the right in Figure 11 to close or partially close the small pocket 63e adjacent the end section 68, the gas will ilow through the opening 'lla in the additional plate 'I IJa into the small pocket to drive the elements in one direction of rotation. The steam or other compressed gas trapped in the small pocket will travel longitudinally as the short pitched portions of the ribs $4 are rotated until it is brought into contact with the long pitched portions of the ribs when it will expand into the succeeding large pocket 63. The expanded gas will escape into the passageway when it reaches the left hand end of the rod 64b, then ow through the open ing Il in the plate l0 into the chamber 12 and then through the outlet 13 into a valve controlled pipe 13a. To reverse the direction of rotation of the elements 62, the rod 64b is shifted to the left to close o-r partially close the small pocket adjacent the plate le, the pipe lila is opened to the atmosphere and the pipe 13ais connected with the source of steam or` compressed gas whereby the flow of gas is reversed. The greater the small pocket is closed by the rod the greater the expansion ratio between the small and large pockets. The means for operating the rod 64b may be the same as those for operating the rod 441.A

It will be understood that the apparatus shown in Figures 5 to 8, and in Figures 9 and l0 may be converted into a turbine or engine by merely directing compressed gas through the chamber 32 or 52 and permitting it to escape through the openings 34for 54. That is to say, byT using the last mentioned openings for exhaust purposes and the'exhaust -openings 33er 53 as inlets, the elements 22, 42 willbe driveny to drive the shaft H55.: Itis alsofobvious that the ribs 24, Mand E4 may be gradually changed'in pitch to form the large, and small pockets.

In-Figure 12 is shown a group of threeintermeshing elements 82, each having three ribs 84 arranged like a triple thread on a screw in which the lconvolutions ofthe ribs or threads are 120 apart; The ribs on this modified group of elements, could be made with a constant pitch as shown -in Figure 1 or-a variable pitch as shown inl Figures 5, 9j and: 11. However, I prefer to employ a; group or a plurality of groups, each comprising fourelements Ywhereby pockets of larger cross-sectional area are obtained.

WhatiI claim as'my invention is:

1. Apparatus of the-class described comprising at4 least three rotatable elements, each element beingprovided'with a plurality of helical ribs, eachfribA having a short pitch at each end and a'comparativelylcng pitch intermediate the short pitched portions,- the elementsbeing meshed with oneanother and rotatable in the same direction to form a succession of pockets which change in size as they travelffrom one end of the ribs to the other during. the rotation of the elements; means for admitting or exhausting gas into or fromithe pocket at one end of the elements; means for exhausting or admitting gas from or into the pocket at the other end of the elements; means to rotate or be rotated by the rotatable elements; and means for controlling the operation ofi-a large-pocket and either one of the small pockets or a portion thereof to permit the elements to be driven in either direction of rotation by the gas or to permit the elements to drive the gas in either direction through the pockets and to vary the compression and expansion ratio of the gas entering and leaving the pockets.

- 2. Apparatus of the class described comprising at least three elements, each element being provided with a, plurality of ribs, each rib having a long pitch and a comparatively short pitch at each end of the long pitch, the elements being meshed with one another and rotatable in the same direction so that the ribs form a succession ofv pockets which change in size from small to largeand then to small as they travel from one end of the ribs to the other during the rotation of the elements, the ribs being shaped to form a passageway through the pockets; means for admitting or exhausting gas into ory from one end of the passageway; means for exhausting or admitting gas from or into the other end of the passageway; means to rotate or be rotated by v the rotatable elements; an axially movable rod in said passageway for closing and opening the pockets, the length of the rod and of the long pitched portions of the elements being such that the rod will extend simultaneously through sufcient of the long pitched portions to form a pocket and through one or the other of the short pitched portions to regulate the volume of the pocket formed thereby; and means for moving the rod to vary the volume of the last mentioned pocket relative to that of the first mentioned pocket so that the compression or expansion ratio of the gas entering and leaving the pockets may be varied.

3. Apparatus of the class described comprising a casing having a chamber at each end thereof; at least three helically ribbed elements journalled. in said. casing intermediatethe. chambers and rotatable in the same direction, each element being meshed `with two adjacent elements; each rib having a longpitchand afcomparatively short 5 pitch at each end ofthe long pitch to forma succession of pockets whichl change in sizefrom` small to large and then to small as they travel from one end of the ribs to the other duringthe rotation of the elements, each small pocket being adapted to communicate with the adjacent chamber, the ribs being shaped to establish a passageway through the different sized pockets; means for admitting or exhausting gas into or` from one of thechambers; means for exhausting or admitting gas from or into the otherchamber; means toV rotate, or be ro-k tated by the rotatable member; and a rod axially movable in said passageway for closing and -opening the pockets,l the length of the rod and of the long pitched portions being such that the rod can simultaneously close a large pocket and a small pocket at either end of the elements and means for shifting the rod to change the point of exit ofgas from or its intake into the pockets so that the compression or expansion ratio of the gas entering and leaving said large and small pockets may be varied.

4. Apparatus of the class described comprising at least three elements, each element being provided with a plurality of ribs, each rib having a long pitch and a comparatively short pitch at each end of the long pitch, the elements beingmeshed with one another and rotatable inl the samedirection so that the ribs` form a succession of pockets which changey in size from small to large and then to small as they travel from one end of the ribs to the other during the rotation of the elements, the ribs being shaped to form a passageway through the pockets; means for admitting or exhausting gas into ,or from one. end of the passageway; means for exhausting or admitting gas from or into the other end of the passageway; means to rotate or be rotated by the` rotatable elements; arod having a cross sectional area correspondingY to that of the passageway for closing it, the length of the rod and of the long pitched portions of the elementsI being such that the rod` will extend Ysimultaneously through sufcient of the long pitched portions to form a V5o pocket and through one or the other of the short pitched portions, the rod being reduced in crosssection at opposite ends to clear the arc shaped sides of thepassageway; and means connected with one of the reduced ends of the rod to move it axially to vary the compression or expansion ratio of the gas entering and leaving the pockets.

5. Apparatus of the class described comprising atleast three'elements, each element being pro. vided with a plurality of helical ribs, each rib 50 having a short pitched portion at one end and a long pitched portion, the elements being meshed with one another and rotatable in the same direction so that the ribs form a succession of pockets which change in volume as they travel from one end of the ribs to the other during the rotation of the elements, said pockets being smaller at the short pitched end and the ribs being so shaped that they form a passageway through the intermeshed portions and between the pockets; means for admitting or exhausting gas into or from the pockets at the short pitched end ofthe elements; means for exhausting or admitting gas from or into the pockets at the other end of the elements; means to rotate or be rotated by. the rotatable elements; a rod in said passageway for controlling the point of admittance of gas into or the escape of gas from the pocket formed by the short pitched portions of the elements to regulate the volume of the last mentioned pocket; and means for moving the rod and elements axially relative to one another to Vary the said volume relative to that of a pocket formed by the long pitched portions of the elements so that the compression or expansion ratio of the gas entering and leaving the pockets may be varied.

6. Apparatus of the class described comprising at least three elements, each element being provided with a plurality of helical ribs, each rib having a short pitched portion at one end and a long pitched portion, the elements being meshed with one another and rotatable in the same direction so that the ribs form a succession of pockets which change in volume as they travel from one end of the ribs to the other during the 10 rotation of the elements, said pockets being smaller at the short pitched end, and the ribs having curved sides terminating in arcs forming a pas sageway through the pockets; means for admitting or exhausting gas into or from the pockets at the short pitched end of the elements; means for exhausting or admitting gas from or into the pockets at the other end of the elements; means to rotate or be rotated by the rotatable elements; a rod in said passageway having a cross sectional area corresponding to that of the passageway for closing it, the rod being reduced in cross section at the short pitched end of the elements to clear the arc shaped sides of the passageway; and means connected with said reduced end of the rod to move it axially to vary the compression or expansion ratio of the gas entering and leaving the pockets.

RUDOLF D. DELAMERE. 

